The 22nd Annual National Arts & Culture Awards Show set to air on CIG TV Channel 28
SUNDAY, MARCH 27th 5 PM

In addition to traditional Easter activities, the public will have a chance to enjoy the 2016 National Arts & Culture Awards Show which is scheduled to air at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27th on CIGTV Channel 28. Truly an evening of cultural and artistic excellence, the black tie, invite only Cayfest event took place on February 25th at the Harquail Theatre, spotlighting Cayman’s top talents, A-list celebrities and cultural animators. Once red carpet picture taking ended, the Cayman Islands Folk Singers opened the show with the National Song and were soon joined by hosts Marcia Muttoo and Shomari Scott in a lively rendition of the Aunt Julia Hydes’ folk classic Munzie Boat. Guest performer Dana Leong, a Grammy award-winning electro jazz cellist, enchanted the audience with a soulful set of original music.

Upon learning that she was the first ever Visionary Award recipient, Grace Gealey, Caymanian television actress of “Empire” fame remarked, “Words cannot express the humility and thrill of receiving such a distinguished and honorable award. Knowing that I may have, in some small part, inspired others to follow their dreams or helped to materialize a vision of a path for dreamers and artists alike humbly leaves me in awe. A tremendous thank you to CNCF, Henry Muttoo, Horacio Esteban and all of the voters for this powerful acknowledgement. With this being the very first Visionary Award in Cayman’s history, I will hold this in the highest esteem for years to come and would like to dedicate this award to God and my family: the late Harry and Theoline McCoy, all of my extended family, my mother Cheryl McCoy-Gealey as well as my sister Faith Gealey, who have all never stopped supporting and encouraging me throughout the years. Love you all. I am truly grateful.

This is an uplifting and memorable event that is not to be missed.

Here are some of the people featured the National Arts & Culture Awards Show being televised on March 27th at 5 pm on CIGTV Channel 28:

Visionary Award* Recipient:
Grace Gealey
*This is the first year this peer award is presented.

Heritage Cross Gold Awardees
Loxley Banks – Broadcasting/Heritage Preservation
William Kemuel Jackson, MBE – Heritage Preservation
Susan Olde, OBE – Patron of the Arts
Bernard Powell – Heritage Preservation
Captain Arlin Tatum, Sr (1936-2016) – Music

Heritage Cross Silver Awardees
Islyn Ebanks – Traditional Music/Drumming
Natalie Urquhart – Heritage Preservation

Star for Creativity in the Arts Gold
David Bridgeman – Visual Arts
Selita Ebanks – Fashion/Performing Arts
Grace Gealey – Performing Arts
Jason “JG” Gilbert – Music
Tamara “Tigerlily” Hill – Fashion
John “Selecta Renegade” Watler – Broadcasting/Music

Star for Creativity in the Arts Silver
Davin Ebanks – Visual Arts
Kaitlyn Elphinstone – Visual Arts
Natasha Kozaily – Music
Michael Lemay – Music

Creativity Certificate
Aimee Randolph – Art Education

Sponsor of the Year:
APPLEBY
Volunteers of the Year:
Jevaughnie Ebanks, Henry Hill
Chairman’s Award:
Simone Scott

THE NATIONAL ARTS & CULTURE AWARDS
The National Arts and Culture Awards recognise those who attain a level of merit in their artistic discipline or contribute to the arts, culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands. Heritage Cross Awards and Star for Creativity in the Arts Awards are presented annually in Bronze, Silver and Gold categories along with awards for Volunteer of the Year, Sponsor of the Year and Chairman’s Award for outstanding long-term support of CNCF’s work. The awards ceremony is a CNCF initiative that began in 1990 and though disrupted for a few years after Hurricane Ivan, resumed in 2008.

To make a nomination for the 23rd Annual National Arts & Culture Awards, email [email protected] or call (345) 949-5477 for more information.

IMAGES:

Gold Awardee Miss Selita Ebanks (r) and guests

Miss Cayman Islands Monyque Brooks